U.S. Energy Efficiency

What 5 million data points say about energy efficiency potential

Energy efficiency is the country's cheapest power source and the secret to unlocking its potential isn't a new fracking fluid or a new nuclear reactor design. The key is data. A new era of data transparency and quantification is turning energy efficiency from a guesstimate into a reliable and deployable resource that our country can count on. This page is a small peek into that brave new world that brings together data on housing structures, heating and cooling, appliances, and energy habits from more than 120,000 U.S. households. The data illuminates clear opportunities for saving energy and money.

National Highlights

Lighting

North and South Dakotans report using more conventional light bulbs than any other state, at 1.5 times the national average. Vermonters, by contrast, report using efficient bulbs at the highest rate, 1.8 times the national average.

Appliances

States with the most stand-alone freezers in addition to a primary fridge and freezer? Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, all in excess of 2x the national average.

Heating Set Point

West Virginians like it warmer in the winter. They set their thermostats higher than most other states. Rhode Islanders keep their homes the coolest in winter.

Cooling Set Point

Alabamans set their thermostats cooler than any other state in the summer. Others who keep their AC chillier than average include residents of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

State by State

* Washington may be over represented - we've got lots of friends here in EnergySavvy's backyard!

Tennessee

More likely than the U.S. average to have:

Central air conditioning (2.4x)

Air conditioning set to 70° or cooler (2.6x)

Single-story homes (1.2x)

Electric heating systems (1.8x), especially heat pumps (2.4x)

Electric appliances: hot water heater (1.7x) and stove (1.4x)

Energy Efficiency Opportunities by Measure for Tennessee

Heating

62% use electric heat vs. 35% nationally

38% heat their homes with gas compared to 55% nationally

0% heat their homes with oil compared to 10% nationally

Lighting

29% use conventional bulbs vs. 21% nationally

30% use efficient bulbs vs. 35% nationally

Cooling

84% have central AC vs. 35% nationally

15% have systems 15+ years old vs. 8% nationally

Water Heater

71% have an electric hot water heater vs. 42% nationally

Age Range

47% of homes were built after 1989 vs. 33% nationally

Roof

8% of homes have reflective roofs vs. 2% nationally

Windows

21% have storm windows vs. 13% nationally

DSM Solutions for Utility Programs

EnergySavvy's software brings breakthrough transparency and control to DSM departments. Utilities and states across the country use our Optix software platform to drive portfolio performance, increase customer satisfaction and minimize risk. We invite you to contact us and learn why industry leaders choose EnergySavvy.